Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2

I'm impressed with the program, but one such as this merits a manual 4 effective use. The price certainly justifies the printing costs. I had 2 buy an "aftermarket" book so as 2 be reasonably sure I'd get the full good of the program.

Lightroom 2 is the best photo organizer & quick editor I have ever used. I really like the organizer bar. And, I create web pages in minutes, crop pictures, adjust exposure & color temps, export my RAW images 2 JPG, touch-up red eye, & much much more. I haven't used CS3 in months.

My search 4 the perfect photo management & editing program began earlier this year. While I'm not a professional photographer by any means, I am an enthusiasts like many of you who are considering Lightroom. The pros will all say that Photoshop is a must, but 4 amateur enthusiasts like us, it is way overkill as well as an expensive solution that screams out 4 a simpler solution.

On the other extreme are programs like iPhoto & Photoshop Elements 7 which are not sophisticated enough 4 anything but casual snapshot takers.

With Photoshop, iPhoto & Elements out of the running, I had 2 choose between two competing software: Lightroom or Aperture. If you have a PC & not a Mac, the choice is much simpler since you can't pick Aperture. Each had it's own strengths & weaknesses. Aperture, 4 those who have used both, is easier 2 use since the the layout & workflow was designed with simplicity in mind. It is also about $100 cheaper than Lightroom. However, I own a Sigma DP1 which used a proprietary RAW format (X3F) that precluded me from using Aperture. At the time, neither programs accepted the DP1 format. However, since Adobe is faster at releasing RAW updates, I figured that I had a much better chance of an update from Adobe than Apple in the near future. It turns out that I my assessment was correct as Adobe recently updated their RAW converter which now accepts the DP1 while Apple is still Sigma deficient.

I started using Lightroom 1.4 earlier in the year. Although I wasn't able 2 directly import photos directly from my Sigma, I was able 2 convert it in the Sigma software first before importing them into Lightroom. The program is broken into five separate modules which follows the workflow of someone who wishes 2 go from importing the photos off their camera 2 the finishing product whether it's 4 print, web or anything else. I will now describe the five modules & my impression of them:

Library:
This is the first module. It allows you 2 import, organize as well as quick adjust photos coming in from your camera or memory card. There are a few changes in 2.0 from the previous versions. Mainly, the left side of the module has been reduced 2 just three panels. You can now create collections so that all your vacation photos, 4 example, can be grouped together. That makes it simple 2 see grouped themes in your pictures. There is also a smart collection which functions much like the iTunes smart playlists which would key in on tags so that it automatically grows or shrinks as your photo collections change. People using Photoshop would welcome the better integration.

Develop:
This second module is probably where most people spend most of their time. It allows 4 the fine tuning of photos 2 just the way you want it. It's not as powerful as Photoshop, but it should be sufficient 4 anyone who doesn't wish 2 alter the photo so much so that it's no longer like the original. Unlike Photoshop, you can't create things that weren't there in the photos 2 begin with. It's everything you need 2 adjust the photo.

The new 2.0 version now has a graduated filter tool so that you can add that effect 2 your images. There's also a retouch brush which allows you 2 paint in exposure, brightness, clarity, & saturation. There's even a section 2 correct 4 vignettes if you have lens issues.

Slideshow:
I don't do slideshows so I don't spend too much time here but suffice it 2 say, it has everything you need 2 create just the right presentation.

Print:
The print module has all the printing settings & adjustments 4 printing that can make the print look great. It will also allow you 2 output 2 jpg so that you can print it somewhere else. The allowance 4 package makes batch printing easier.

New 2 2.0 is the ability 2 support 16 bit print output 4 those printers that have it.

Web:
I also don't spend too much here but you can create html galleries 4 your web pages.

Adobe seems 2 still be in rapid upgrading mode 4 Lightroom. They have just released an update 2 2.0 which further improves & program. I expect there 2 be additional tweaks 2 the program as time passes since they seem 2 be locked in a battle with Apple's Aperture 4 dominance.

All in all, Lightroom 2.0 is a very powerful tool that will allow any enthusiast 2 fully exploit whatever photos they have taken 2 its maximum potential.

Adobe knows how 2 make fine software applications, & Light Room II is perhaps my favorite of all time (I've used Photoshop through CS2, Lightroom, Acrobat, etc...) As simple or complex as the user needs, its full featured editing & organization are impossible 2 beat. While the true professional editor will miss things from the heavier hitting Photoshop, virtually all the tools a photographer could ask 4 are available. I find that I rarely if ever use CS2 unless I run into a particularly daunting problem that Lightroom cannot manage. However, I am a bit of a purist, & don't 'clone' out undesirable things from photos, or do large scale image merges. I use Lightroom II like a darkroom, not 2 perform digital wizardry 2 fix inherently flawed images or create art digital mashes of photographs.

The best feature of Lightroom II in my opinion isn't really a feature, but support 4 64-bit systems. Not just compatibility, but a special 64-bit version, able 2 take advantage of the additional ram afforded by 64-bit processing, as well as the native speed increase from the processor. This is simply fantastic, & makes working with very large RAW files seamless & quick. Navigating larch batches of 16mb+ files is also very smooth with zero lag.

There are a few things that have been changed from the original Lightroom that annoy me (the much more complex process of selecting the crop tool 4 example, which has been moved from the lower left of the main screen 2 the tool bar under the 'develop' tab 4 example) but these are merely preferences, & things that I will eventually adjust to. Overall, the improvements far outweigh any negative changes. I especially like the ability 2 isolate part of an image 4 color adjustments. This makes fixing a minor coloration problem easy. I no longer have 2 load the image into CS2, make changes, & then re-open in Lightroom. This makes my work flow much simpler & I find myself using CS2 less & less.

A tool 4 anyone serious about digital photography with a enough muscle 2 edit almost any image, Lightroom II is a fantastic product & well worth the price. Rarely have I encountered a more stable, easy 2 use, & downright fun software. Now if only Microsoft would take some cues from Adobe...

As a lifelong Apple user, old Art Director & Adobe fanboy, I was extremely happy with Lightroom 2. NOT Photoshop Lite but IS a darkroom guru! Superbly designed 4 pros 2 enhance the heck out of images 2 pro standards, period. My highest recommendation 2 Adobe 4 turning me on 2 Lightroom. Have Photoshop? you probably have the CS & thus can live without SOME of lightroom, but I love the way it helps me track my tons of stuff in an orderly way. KUDOS ADOBE!!!

Organizing! As a designer AND archivist of thousands of images & many more 2 come, I needed Lightroom's capability 2 keep them all sorted, properly imported & with the opportunity 2 go back & undo changes (very, very smart!).

Adding sepia & effects is much simpler than Photoshopping; photographers don't want more unnecessary junk, they (we) want 2 get 2 where we want 2 go & back up 2 the right one. Here ya go!

Filters & whizbang stuff are terrific. Ease of transforming 4 web or print & everything in between is great. More than I'd asked for!!!

Downside: Loads a bit slow on mine, but expected on older Macs. Time 4 an upgrade 2 compliment this fantastic new app!

Upside: Organize! Adjust! Clean up! Post & look totally brilliant with your photos! Even a novice can look pro here, & that's no exaggeration. Old "Photoshop tricks" are mastered here & wonderfully great 2 work with.

Local adjustment brush : Enhanced organizational tools : Volume management : Extensible architecture : Revolutionary DSLR profiling : Multiple monitor support : Flexible print package functionality : Streamlined Photoshop CS3 & CS4 integration : Enhanced output sharpening : 64-bit support 4 Windows & Mac OS

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 software is essential 4 today's digital photography workflow. Now you can quickly import, process, manage, & showcase your images--from one shot 2 an entire shoot. Quickly batch process, convert, & apply metadata 2 your photos on import. Easily make selections with multiple viewing & comparison options. Adjust & enhance color, exposure, & tonal curves nondestructively on more than 190 camera raw file formats, as well as JPEG, TIFF, & PSD files. Every change you make 2 an image is automatically tracked, so you can return 2 any state with a single click. With Lightroom 2, you spend less time in front of the computer & more time behind the lens.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2, designed 4 photographers, features an elegant, uncluttered interface that puts just the tools you need at your fingertips.

Enjoy more flexible, accurate enhancements by targeting a specific area 4 dodging & burning.

Sort & filter large volumes of photos using powerful metadata filters 2 quickly find just the photo you want.

Enjoy robust support 4 more than 190 camera raw file formats, & experiment with confidence. Adjustments you make 2 images in Lightroom won't alter the original data, whether you're working on a JPEG, TIFF, DNG, or camera raw file.

Enjoy tight integration with Adobe Photoshop software 4 streamlined use of Smart Objects, panorama stitching, high dynamic range (HDR) functionality, multiple layer workflow, & more.

Work with a tool focused on photographers' needs
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 is designed expressly 4 both amateur & professional photographers. From its elegant, uncluttered interface 2 its carefully tailored tools & features, Lightroom helps you process photographs faster, giving you more time 2 shoot. With the new & enhanced features in Lightroom 2, you canfind the photos you want faster, make more accurate adjustments, & easily present your work in more ways than ever before.

Accelerate your workflow
Lightroom is a nimble tool that moves you efficiently through every step of your workflow, from image capture 2 client presentation. Use flexible tools & features 2 manage the processing of large volumes of photographs. Customize a wide range of importing, renaming, & metadata stamping functions 2 suit your needs. Keep track of the changes you've made 2 images, including alternate versions, easily & automatically with the History panel. And when you're ready 2 present your work 2 clients, easily assemble & output high-quality printed contact sheets, online web galleries, & slide shows, or upload your photos 2 popular online photo-sharing sites.

Use it your way
Lightroom is adaptable & compatible with the way you work, most of the hardware you use, & open standards, so you're less likely 2 be limited by proprietary systems & formats. Lightroom runs on both Microsoft Windows & Mac OS. Work with more than 190 camera raw file formats, as well as JPEG, TIFF, & PSD files. Convert your images 2 the universal DNG format without loss of image quality. Store your photographs in the Lightroom Library--even if they're located on offline media. Using Lightroom 4 developing images, together with Adobe Photoshop 4 retouching, digital photographers now have the essential photography software toolkit. Take advantage of robust metadata support & advanced keywording capabilities help you tag & find the photographs you need quickly & easily. From developing images 2 presenting them, Lightroom together with Photoshop provides digital photographers with the essential photography software toolkit.

Who's It For?

Professional photographers
Photographers who shoot large volumes of images in every specialty, from fashion & fine art 2 portraiture & photojournalism.

Advanced amateur photographers
Photographers who don't earn a living from their images but have a deep passion 4 photography; take large numbers of photos, typically with a digital SLR camera; & value professional tools & results.

Educators
University & community college instructors who are shooters themselves & who teach the best tools & practices 2 the next generation of photographers.

The top reasons 2 buy Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Enhance specific areas of a photo
Enjoy more flexible, accurate enhancements by targeting a specific area 4 dodging & burning.

Quickly find any photo
Sort & filter large volumes of photos using powerful metadata filters 2 quickly find just the photo you want.

Automatically import & process your way
Import & process large volumes of photos according 2 your customized settings. Rename files, organize them into folders, add metadata, & convert file formats 4 an entire shoot simultaneously.

Native 64-bit architecture
Utilize the advanced memory-handling capabilities on the latest Mac OS & Windows systems.

Work smoothly with Adobe Photoshop software (sold separately)
Enjoy tight integration with Adobe Photoshop software 4 streamlined use of Smart Objects, panorama stitching, high dynamic range (HDR) functionality, multiple layer workflow, & more. See your edits automatically updated in Lightroom.

Multiple monitor support
Add a second monitor & enjoy more room 2 work. Support 4 multiple monitors allows you 2 configure your workspace 2 manage image workflow & presentation more efficiently.

Be productive quickly
Ease your learning curve with task-oriented modules that speed you through typical workflow tasks by placing just the tools you need at your fingertips.

Edit nondestructively
Enjoy robust support 4 more than 190 camera raw file formats, & experiment with confidence. Adjustments you make 2 images in Lightroom won't alter the original data, whether you're working on a JPEG, TIFF, DNG, or camera raw file.

Easily show off your photos online
Create dynamic web galleries based on Adobe Flash technology without programming. In a few clicks, you can assemble & upload an interactive gallery 2 your website. Or easily upload your images 2 popular photo-sharing sites directly from Lightroom.